One of [the beast's] heads was as if it had been slaughtered to death, but the wound of his death was healed. And the whole world followed the beast with great amazement. They worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast?" and "Who can possibly make war against him?" Rev. 13:3, 4.
Verse 3 contains a clear allusion to the cross. One of the beast's heads was as if it had been slaughtered to death, then its deadly wound healed. The word "slaughtered" is exactly the same word found in verse 8: "The Lamb slaughtered from the foundation of the world." The wound of the sea beast is a clear parody of the death of Christ. Now, if the beast is slaughtered to death, what does it mean for the "wound of his death" to be healed? A resurrection! The sea beast has a death and resurrection like that of Jesus Christ.
But this counterfeit has even more to it. Revelation 13:1 describes the beast as having 10 horns and seven heads. It looks just like the dragon! Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9, NIV). And anyone who has seen the sea beast has seen the dragon! Revelation 13:2 tells us that "the dragon gave [him] his power and his throne and great authority (NIV). This reminds us of the saying of Jesus in Matthew 28:18: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (NIV). Just as Jesus received His authority from the Father, the sea beast obtained its authority from the dragon.
The sea beast also has a ministry. According to Revelation 13:5 that ministry is 42 months long. Three and a half years! How long was Jesus' ministry? Also three and a half years. Thus the length of the sea beast's ministry is the same as that of Jesus! That makes the question of verse 4 quite interesting: "Who is like the beast?" The original readers who understood a little Hebrew would have known that the name Michael (the previous reference to Jesus in Revelation 12:7-9) means "Who is like God?"
The sea beast, then, is a clear counterfeit of God the Son, Jesus Christ. At the end of time as part of a great worldwide deception a counterfeit trinity stands in the place of God. The dragon, sea beast, and land beast form the three members of that trinity. In the last days of earth's history Satan brings in deception so carefully crafted that people will have difficulty telling which side is the right one.
What difference should that make in our lives today? As we approach the end of the world, we should pray and search Scriptures as never before. Satan will seek to distort our understanding of them by any means possible.
Lord, I want the truth no matter what the cost. Help me to see what You desire for me to see in Your Word.
Verse 3 contains a clear allusion to the cross. One of the beast's heads was as if it had been slaughtered to death, then its deadly wound healed. The word "slaughtered" is exactly the same word found in verse 8: "The Lamb slaughtered from the foundation of the world." The wound of the sea beast is a clear parody of the death of Christ. Now, if the beast is slaughtered to death, what does it mean for the "wound of his death" to be healed? A resurrection! The sea beast has a death and resurrection like that of Jesus Christ.
But this counterfeit has even more to it. Revelation 13:1 describes the beast as having 10 horns and seven heads. It looks just like the dragon! Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9, NIV). And anyone who has seen the sea beast has seen the dragon! Revelation 13:2 tells us that "the dragon gave [him] his power and his throne and great authority (NIV). This reminds us of the saying of Jesus in Matthew 28:18: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (NIV). Just as Jesus received His authority from the Father, the sea beast obtained its authority from the dragon.
The sea beast also has a ministry. According to Revelation 13:5 that ministry is 42 months long. Three and a half years! How long was Jesus' ministry? Also three and a half years. Thus the length of the sea beast's ministry is the same as that of Jesus! That makes the question of verse 4 quite interesting: "Who is like the beast?" The original readers who understood a little Hebrew would have known that the name Michael (the previous reference to Jesus in Revelation 12:7-9) means "Who is like God?"
The sea beast, then, is a clear counterfeit of God the Son, Jesus Christ. At the end of time as part of a great worldwide deception a counterfeit trinity stands in the place of God. The dragon, sea beast, and land beast form the three members of that trinity. In the last days of earth's history Satan brings in deception so carefully crafted that people will have difficulty telling which side is the right one.
What difference should that make in our lives today? As we approach the end of the world, we should pray and search Scriptures as never before. Satan will seek to distort our understanding of them by any means possible.
Lord, I want the truth no matter what the cost. Help me to see what You desire for me to see in Your Word.
RSS Feed
